NJMC: Hackey on Rebound
Apr 22nd, 2010 | By Greg Hazley | Category: On tapWater quality and aquatic life in the Hackensack River are gradually improving, according to the Meadowlands Commission’s “State of the Hackensack River” review put together for Earth Day.
But the gains are fragile and area residents need to limit the use of fertilizers and car soaps that can affect the river that forms Secaucus’ western barrier, the commission said.
The Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, the scientific arm of the commission, reports that dissolved oxygen levels in the river have grown by 11 percent since 1993, when it first started measuring the key indicator for life in the river.
Lori Grifa, chair of the NJMC, said the commission is “heartened” by the river’s progress. “Ultimately, the Meadowlands environment is only as healthy as the Hackensack River,” she said.
The MERI found that better sewage treatment, curbing overflows and a decline in industrial pollution have all contributed to better water quality, as well as more and healthier fish and other organisms in the river.
Birds which feed on the river’s life are also on the rebound. Last year, ospreys nested for the first time in several years in Kearny and peregrine falcons set up shop under the Route 3 Bridge in the Meadowlands as well. New Jersey Audubon also found the areas bird numbers on the rise in a study released in 2006.
The main cause of pollution today is runoff from surrounding urban areas. Nitrogen and phosphorous compounds from lawn fertilizer, soal and yard waste are particularly harmful sources of pollution that cause problems like algae growth in the river.
The commission is urging area residents to use phosphorus-free, time-release fertilizer and soap to wash cars. It also said grass clippings and other yard waste should be kept away from waterways or places where they could flow into the river.
Loading ...
QUESTIONS FOR THE NJMC
1-WHEN HARTZ BUILT THE SEWER MAINS EVERY STREET THE LINES DID NOT MEET TOWN STANDARDS. WHAT ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE DOES THE NJMC HANG THEIR HAT ON THAT THEY THEN CAN ASSUME THE SEWER LATERALS AND BUILDING SEWER ARE UP TO CODE?
2-MOST BUILDINGS ARE BUILT ON PILES AT ELEVATION 10 FEET LETS ASSUME THE SEWER MAIN IN FRONT OF A BUILDING IS AT ELEVATION 3 FEET. AS THE GROUND SETTLES HOW DOES THE SEWER LATERAL GET LONGER SO IT CAN STAY CONNECTED?
3-THERE IS NO STATUE OF LIMITATIONS ON THE CODE . WHY IS HARTZ EXEMPT FROM THE CODE?
4-THE STATE AND FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACTS HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEWER BREAKS.
HOW DID THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE ADVISE THE NJMC ON THIS ISSUE.DID THEY TELL THE NJMC SEWER LINES DO NOT HAVE TO MEET CODE?
Sounds like the sewer man thats at every council meeting. He’s just looking for a job. He should ask Dennis Elwell about illegal sewer duping from hotels.
IF YOU OR YOUR FRIENDS EAT AT A PLACE WHERE THE SEWERS ARE NOT UP TO CODE AND YOU GET SICK ,WHO DO YOU PLAN TO BLAME?TBS?THEY ARE NOW RUNNING THE TOWN.THEY NEED TO
MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO HEALTH ISSUES LIKE THE CROWNE PLAZA.THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 70S ,DO WE EVEN KNOW IF ANYONE HAS GOTTEN SICK FROM LEAKING SEWER LINES UNDER KITCHENS?WHY ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE GETTING WORK AND NOT WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE GETTING SICK?
the whole problem with the sewers is that if u build buildings on piles then connect a 3 or 4 foor pipe to the main to the street that main will settle down and separate from the drain from the buildiing.
then you have a sort of cesspool buids up at the break which eventually makes it way to the river.
why is this problem there, because the original plans for the sewer system designs were flawed to start with and hartz mountian knew this but built the system anyway. the system was also self inspected by hartz at completion. it never would have passed a code inspection by the town or the state.
now all that sewerage is seeping into the river slowly. why didnt the HMD
C follow up on this oh if thats the HARTZ MOUNTAIN DEVELOPEMENT CORPROATION.
also where is the self proclaimed so called river keeper sheehan. why isnt he up in arms about this polution. [a portion of this comment has been deleted.]
the town has to come in do a complete inspection of all the sewers and turn the findings over to the epa and finnaly maybe they will get hartz up on charges an make them admit to their irresponsibity.
its time to throw the hmdc out of town and let our own building inspectors do their job not some guy like the hmdc has, his name is BRUNO, has hasnt the foggiest idea what hes doing. all he does is harrass people. it also time to let homeowners do things with their property without the hmdc telling them what they can do.
i think the mayor should pick up where ex mayor elwell was doing to try to get us out of the hmdc area. they are harrassing us and cost the taxpayers millions of dollars a year which is given to other towns.
RIVERKEEPER – THE CROWNE PLAZA SEWERS FAILED. IT WAS BUILT IN THE 70′S WHAT ABOUT ALL THE BUILDINGS BUILT AFTER THAT AT THE PLAZA AND MILLCREEK MALLS ? DO YOU THINK THEY ARE OK OR LEAKING? GOOD LUCK WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE ON THAT, BUT WILL THEY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SICK ? NOTE THE EPA SAYS SITUATIONS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT.SINCE NO ONE IS DOING THIS ,MAYBE YOU CAN GET THE BALL ROLLING.HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
alarm clock we wont hear from the river keeper he just hides and comes out when he wants he dont answer to anybody so he really dont care
and dont even think of him going against hartz hed lose his meal ticket
i think the town an the epa should look into this and show that the hmdc is not doing its job an neither is the riverkeeper
HERE IS A LIST OF HEATH RISKS FROM SEWER BREAKS.
BACTERIA-FOOD POISONING,TYPHOID FEVER,DIARRHEA,ABDOMINAL PAIN
VIRUSES-HEPATITIS,MENINGITIS,PNEUMONIA,FEVER,COLDS,DIARRHEA,RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
PROTOZOA-DIARRHEA,ABDOMINAL CRAMPS,DYSENTERY
HELMINTHS-ABDOMINAL PAIN,VOMITING,CHEST PAIN,DIARRHEA,MUSCLE ACHES,INSOMNIA,HOOKWORM
BIOAEROSOLS-LEGIONNAIRE,S DISEASE
DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW ANYONE WHO GOT ANY OF THESE ILLNESSES AFTER EATING AT THE MALL OR HOTELS IN SECAUCUS ?IT COULD BE RELATED.